A Time To Celebrate - 30 October 2003

At the age of two Sarah Skingley knew what she wanted to be when she grew up. A visit to grandparents in hospital convinced her that her future career would be in nursing. Sarah never lost sight of that goal, and this week she graduated from Suffolk College with a First Class Honours Degree in Nursing Practice.

Sarah’s first step on the path to what she feels is “the best job in the world” was a pre-nursing course at Suffolk College. Although she completed this successfully, a waiting list for nurse training meant that Sarah spent a year working at Ipswich Hospital as an auxiliary, an experience she thoroughly enjoyed and one which convinced her the choice of a caring profession was the right one for her.

In 1983 she started a three-year nurse training course with Suffolk College based at Ipswich Hospital. Always keen to improve her own practice, Sarah celebrated the new millennium by achieving a Diploma in Nursing Practice. She was encouraged to continue her studies by her Personal Tutor, Helen Hollinworth, who pointed out that the standard of Sarah’s Diploma work would equate to a First at degree level. Helen, says Sarah, always inspired her to do her best.

Sarah has not only had to fit her studying around her job as a specialist Stoma nurse, but has also had to manage a balancing act with the demands of a young family – Charlotte who is now nine and Oliver who is now six. She is quick to acknowledge the support of her mother, whose previous teaching experience was invaluable for proof reading, and her husband Andy – especially his IT skills.

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“It has been a life-changing experience”, says Sarah. “It has broadened my thinking, made me more receptive and taught me to be disciplined.” She is currently helping to create a Stoma care course for distribution on the internet, and hopes to have her research published in the British Journal of Nursing.

ENDS

NOTES FOR EDITORS

For further information please contact:

Tracey Bailey, Promotions and Information Centre Manager

Tel: 01473 296520

Email: tracey.bailey@suffolk.ac.uk

Issued by Promotions

30 October 2003